Jonathan Scott Smith Criminal Defense Firm

Howard County Police charged a Baltimore man with coming onto Long Reach High School in Columbia and assaulting a student. He was charged with second degree assault and disorderly conduct. An onlooker videotaped the incident and posted the video online.

What is Assault?

Under Maryland law, a second degree assault (also known as assault 2) occurs when someone places the victim in reasonable fear of an imminent harmful or offensive touching, and the actor has the present apparent ability to carry out the threat. Assault also includes the consummated act of battery, which is an intentional harmful or offensive touching. Domestic assault and domestic violence assault are two examples of assault.

Penalties for Assault

Second degree assault is a misdemeanor. If convicted, the court may impose a sentence up to 10 years imprisonment, a $10,000.00 fine, or both.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in assault and other criminal cases — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Howard County.

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

A 21-year old student was stopped by a Howard County for a cracked windshield. After being stopped, the driver was asked repeatedly whether he had anything illegal in the car. The police officer stated that the student might as well be honest, because the officer was going to search the car anyway.

Car Search Results in Marijuana and Deadly Weapons

The student then admitted having a marijuana pipe. The police officer ordered the driver out of the car, placed him under arrest, and searched the car, seizing marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a hatchet and several knives (deadly weapons). The student, however, was found not guilty of all charges in the District Court for Howard County.

Most deadly weapon and drug possession charges result in plea bargains. But someone charged with possession of drugs and deadly weapon charges should have an experienced criminal lawyer or drug possession attorney defend them.

Driver Not Guilty of Drug Possession and Deadly Weapon Charges

In this case, Jonathan Scott Smith, an experienced Columbia criminal lawyer, represented the student. He refused a plea bargain offer and took the case to trial. On cross examination, the police officer admitted that the student had not committed any moving violations. The officer could not describe the location or size of the alleged windshield crack, and never issued a repair order for such a violation. The judge agreed that the police officer lacked legal cause to stop the car, and suppressed all evidence, including the marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and deadly weapons. Absent this evidence, the student was found not guilty of all charges.

Top Rated Howard County Drug Possession Attorney

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including numerous deadly weapon and drug possession charges. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in drug possession and deadly weapon charges, and other cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Howard County.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

A hate crime is a crime against a person or group that is motivated by the victim’s racial, religious, ethnic or gender group. For a criminal act to be a hate crime, it must meet any of the following criteria:

During the crime, racial, religious or ethnic statements are made

Hate group symbols are displayed

Motivation for the crime is to intimidate, harm or injure a particular group or organization

The victim perceives it to be a hate crime

Federal law covers hate crimes under civil rights statutes and provides for more severe sentencing on convictions if the defendant selected the victim because of:

Race

Color

Religion

National origin

Ethnicity

Gender

Disability

Sexual orientation

In Maryland, it is against the law to:

Vandalize any religious property

Interfere by force or threat with anyone’s exercise of their religious beliefs

Damage or destroy anyone’s property because of their race or beliefs

Harass or commit a crime against any person because of their race, color, religious beliefs or national origin

And the state of Maryland, like the federal government, includes more severe sentencing when a person is convicted of a hate crime.

When you need a strong defense, contact a Howard County criminal defense attorney

The very nature of a hate crime arouses enormous public outrage and media speculation. Unfortunately for the defendant in a hate crimes case, the negative publicity and public opinion can make it difficult to receive a fair trial. Merely being accused of such a crime can ruin your reputation, endanger your job and even splinter your family. And the need for an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney is vital.

A 31-year old mother was charged with Violation of Protective Order and Telephone Misuse after her estranged husband claimed she repeatedly called and texted him in violation of an existing order of protection sought by the husband. In many domestic violence and protective order cases, the party who sought the protection order prohibiting all contact later initiates emails, texts, or phone calls. Then, when the person subject to the protective order responds to the contacts, the “victim” seeks criminal charges for violation of protective order. This is an abuse of the legal process and subjects many innocent people to arrest, criminal prosecution, having to post bail, and legal fees for a criminal defense lawyer.

What are the Penalties for Violation of Protective Order in Maryland?

Judges treat violations of protective orders very seriously. A conviction is a misdemeanor. For a first offense, the court can impose a fine up to $1,000.00 and imprisonment up to 90 days, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, the court can impose a fine up to $2,500.00 and imprisonment up to 1 year, or both.

Charges for Violation of Protective Order Dismissed

In this case, as in many others, telephone records revealed that it was the husband who repeatedly initiated telephone contact with wife, and then engaged in back and forth communications. The case was heard in the District Court for Howard County. The wife was represented by Columbia criminal defense lawyer and domestic violence attorney Jonathan Scott Smith of the Smith Criminal Defense Firm. Mr. Smith, a former prosecutor, has extensive experience in criminal law. He believes in aggressively defending domestic violence cases. The client refused all plea bargain offers. The prosecutor, after losing another case to Mr. Smith, dismissed all charges.

Howard County Criminal Defense Attorney

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including numerous violation of protective order charges. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Top Rated Columbia and Ellicott City Criminal Lawyer

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in violation of protective order and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Howard County.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Criminal Charges for Violation of Protective Order
A 31-year old Columbia woman was charged with Violation of Protective Order and Telephone Misuse after her estranged husband claimed she repeatedly called and texted him in violation of an existing protective order that had been sought by her husband. Every person accused of a crime, including criminal charges of violation of protective order, is presumed to be innocent and has the right to fight those charges.

What are the Penalties for Violation of Protective Order in Maryland?

If a person is convicted of violation of protective order in Maryland, they are subject to criminal penalties. The crime is a misdemeanor. For a first offense, the court may impose a fine up to $1,000.00 and imprisonment up to 90 days, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, the court may impose a fine up to $2,500.00 and imprisonment up to 1 year, or both. Judges treat violation of protective order charges very seriously.

Woman Cleared of Violation of Protective Order Charges

Jonathan Scott Smith of the Smith Criminal Defense Firm in Howard County, Maryland prepared a vigorous defense. On Mr. Smith’s recommendation, the accused woman refused all plea bargain offers. Mr. Smith obtained telephone records revealing that it was the husband who repeatedly initiated telephone contact with wife, and then engaged in back and forth communications. The husband’s conduct completely contradicted his claim that he was being harassed by his wife. The prosecution caved and dismissed all charges.

Howard County Criminal Defense Attorney

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including numerous violation of protective order charges. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Top Rated Columbia and Ellicott City Criminal Lawyer

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in violation of protective order and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Howard County.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Woman Charged with Domestic Violence
A 30-year old Columbia mother was charged with Second Degree Assault (domestic violence) arising out of allegations by her separated husband that she repeatedly pushed, shoved, and struck him after he arrived to drop off their minor daughter. The husband claimed the mother was intoxicated, and that is why he refused to leave the child for scheduled time with her mother. Every person charged with a crime, including domestic assault or domestic violence abuse, is presumed to be innocent.

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, has been defined as a pattern of abusive behavior against another person in an intimate relationship. It includes physical acts such as assault, as well as threats of physical violence; sexual and emotional abuse; and controlling behavior.

Domestic Violence Charges not Proven at Trial

Jonathan Scott Smith of the Smith Criminal Defense Firm in Columbia, Maryland strongly urged the mother accused of domestic violence to refuse all plea bargain offers and fight the case at trial. She plead not guilty, and proceeded to trial in Howard County District Court. The judge concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove her guilty and found the accused mother not guilty.

Howard County Domestic Violence Attorney

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including numerous domestic violence, domestic assault, and domestic violence abuse charges. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Top Rated Columbia and Ellicott City Criminal Lawyer

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in domestic violence, domestic assault, and domestic abuse, and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Howard County.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment with an experienced domestic violence attorney and criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.